PRESS STATEMENT BY THE OROMO FEDERALIST DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (OFDM)
ON THE PREVAILING POLITICAL TURMOIL IN THE COUNTRY
1. The politically charged atmosphere has been steadily worsening in Ethiopia since the Elections of May 2005. The disputes over the Election results have been so intense, that life and property have been destroyed through violent demonstrations in Finfinnee (Addis-Abeba). Sadly, this destructive behavior is worsening instead of improving.
2. OFDM expresses its condolences to those who have lost their children and other relatives in the latest violence.
3. The principal cause of these political turbulences has been and is the fact that the results of the May Elections have not
been credibly accepted by opposition parties. While agreements between the Government and certain political parties have failed to materialize due to the rigidity of the ruling party, we condemn the decision of certain opposition elements to forcefully change the results of the Elections as it is pushing the country to the edge of chaos. Therefore, OFDM condemns the Government’s actions to quell opposition through the use of live bullets and terror campaign.
4. OFDM demands of the Government the release forthwith of the leaders of CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) and the
commencement at the same time of negotiations on issues that have caused the ongoing turmoil.
5. OFDM demands also from both Government and the involved Party to depart from their rigid positions and act responsibly to search for a political solution. In this connection, we call especially on the Government to adopt a positive attitude and accept to negotiate the “Eight-point” demand that the involved political Party has presented to the Government and the Troika Ambassadors.
6. OFDM hereby calls on all those involved in the negotiations to resolve the present political impasse, not to exclude other political parties, if a lasting solution is to be found.
7. OFDM calls on both the populations of Finfinnee and rural Ethiopia to demand from their political leaders a guarantee for a peaceful life and protection of their properties from wanton destruction.
8. OFDM finally admonishes all political forces in Ethiopia to re-examine and refrain from their ambitions to rule over the different peoples, nations and nationalities against their free will by continuously opposing the federal system as provided for by the Constitution.
Finfinnee (Addis-Abeba), November 6, 2005